Wednesday June 5 Red Cross Wildfire/Oklahoma Volunteer Deployment

Posted 2013-06-05

The American Red Cross in New Mexico continues to monitor the Tres Lagunas and Thompson Ridge Wildfires, as well as the new fire in Catron County with volunteers on alert should response from the Red Cross be needed.

The Emergency Response Vehicles and six volunteers that were deployed to Moore, Ok in the aftermath of the EF5 Tornado on May 20 have returned to New Mexico, although Red Cross Volunteers from across the country are still working in Oklahoma due to the EF5 in Moore and the tornados last Friday.

The Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) has provided emergency assistance to 5 families so far this week in New Mexico due to residential fires.

Although the shelter at Pecos High School is no longer open, the shelter trailer and supplies are still there with San Miguel County Management, should the need arise. If anyone needs Red Cross assistance they can call 505-265-8514. This phone number is posted on the door.

The shelter opened on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 3 p.m. and served 340 meals, 500 snacks and 1,000 bottles of water distributed at the shelter site, community meetings, and incident command and to firefighters through six p.m. on Monday.

The Red Cross is committed to helping people in times of emergency and to meet their disaster caused needs.

The Red Cross is also committed to addressing the unique needs of children and families affected by disasters.

The Red Cross urges everyone to be prepared for wildfires and other emergencies by making a plan, having a go-kit with copies of all important papers, your prescription medications, water and snacks for pets and family members. For more information on preparing for emergencies go to www.redcross.org

The Red Cross has free downloadable smart phone apps that are free of charge for iphone and Android platforms. Please download the Wildfire and First Aid apps for use during this fire season.

The Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American people to fulfill our mission. To help the Red Cross continue to save lives, contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund by calling 1-800-560-2302. Contributions to the Local Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to the American Red Cross in New Mexico by mail: American Red Cross in New Mexico, 7445 Pan American West Fwy. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or made online at www.redcross/newmexico. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org